Front-line ministry social workers in hard-to-recruit areas of the province will receive an additional $3,000 to $6,000 per year, thanks to a new agreement between government and the BC Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU).

A total of 85 communities throughout B.C. will benefit from $2.4 million in funding toward community adult-literacy programs that will support adults wishing to improve their literacy and numeracy skills.

Getting more First Nations members job-ready by expanding skills training opportunities is the focus of a new project being undertaken by the Gitxsan Development Corporation on behalf of all Gitxsan communities.

Work is now complete on a major upgrade to the Hagwilget Bridge.

The Practice Ready Assessment program assesses internationally trained physicians for practice in B.C. As part of the program, doctors undergo a rigorous assessment process, spending three months with a B.C. physician who evaluates their skills as they care for patients. Physicians successfully completing the program commit to practice for at least three years in a designated rural community in need.

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone announced $2 million in new provincial and federal funding for the now $5-million Highway 16 Transportation Action Plan, outlined the progress made to put the plan in action and opened the application process for new community vehicles.

Health Minister Terry Lake has announced the 73 rural and remote B.C. communities that will welcome community paramedicine, a program that offers residents enhanced health services from paramedics.